Kindergarten

LITERACY

Philosophy and Purpose
Literacy in the kindergarten classroom at Holy Family Catholic School nurtures both academic and spiritual growth. Children learn to read, write, listen, and speak while developing a love for language rooted in faith, kindness, and community. It includes collaboration with families to support literacy development at home. The program integrates Catholic values, encouraging students to see reading and writing as ways to share God’s love and truth.

Key Literacy Components

1. Faith Integration

   • Use of Bible stories, saint biographies, picture books, poetry, and moral fairytales and fables to build comprehension and vocabulary.

   • Prayer, songs, and scripture-based stories to strengthen listening and speaking skills.

   • Writing and drawing activities that reflect gratitude, compassion, and respect for all of God’s creation.

2. Reading Skills

   • Recognition of letters—graphemes and phonemes through direct instruction rhymes and word play. 

   • Phonics-based reading skills and the memorization of frequently used irregular words (e.g., the, said, is, as, to).

   • Promotion of comprehension, sequencing, and prediction skills through story time.

3. Writing Development

   • Fine motor skill practice through tracing, drawing, and letter formation.

   • Early writing experiences such as labeling pictures, writing names, and simple sentences.

   • Faith reflections that connect literacy with personal and spiritual expression.

MATH

Philosophy and Approach
Our kindergarten math lessons integrate academic learning with faith-based values. Children are encouraged to see order, pattern, and logic as reflections of God’s creation. Lessons emphasize wonder, gratitude, and stewardship while developing foundational math skills.

Core Learning Areas

1. Number Sense and Counting

   • Recognize, write, and count numbers 0–20

   • Count to 100 by ones and by tens

   • Understand one-to-one correspondence

   • Compare quantities (more, less, equal)

   • Begin simple addition and subtraction using objects, pictures, movement, and games

2. Patterns and Relationships

   • Identify, extend, and create patterns using colors, shapes, and objects

   • Recognize patterns in nature and connect them to God’s design

3. Geometry and Spatial Awareness

   • Identify and describe basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle)

   • Explore positional words (above, below, beside, next to)

   • Build and draw simple shapes

4. Measurement and Comparison

   • Compare length, weight, and size using nonstandard units

   • Understand concepts of time (morning, afternoon, night)

   • Recognize and use calendars to mark special days and liturgical seasons

5. Data and Sorting

   • Sort and classify objects by color, size, or shape

   • Represent data with simple graphs or charts

6. Faith Integration

• Use counting and pattern activities tied to Bible stories (e.g., Noah’s Ark pairs, days of creation).

• Discuss how math helps us care for God’s world through organization and problem-solving.

• Encourage cooperation, patience, and gratitude during small group math activities.

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS

• Sharing and participating in morning meeting discussions and show and tell to help build confidence and oral language.

• Retelling stories and sharing personal experiences.

• Learning that one person speaks at a time. 

• Listening to others with respect (e.g., eyes, ears, and body), reflecting Catholic values of empathy and community.

• Practicing kindness, respect, and responsibility.

• Sharing thoughts about and reflecting on the school day.

CREATIVE SKILLS

The kindergarten classroom encourages creative skills through activities that blend imagination, faith, and foundational learning. These skills help children express themselves, explore their relationship with God and develop confidence.

Key Creative Skills

• Artistic Expression: Drawing, painting, and crafting projects that reflect Bible stories, saints, family, creation themes, animals, and nature.

• Music and Movement: Singing, using rhythm, and dancing or moving to joyful songs about God’s love.

• Storytelling and Drama: Acting out bible and moral stories or situations to build empathy and communication.

• Creative Thinking: Problem-solving through building blocks, puzzles, or nature-based exploration that connects to God’s creation.

These activities not only enhance creativity but also help children connect their imagination with faith, kindness, and a sense of wonder about the world around them.

CRITICAL THINKING

Critical thinking is nurtured through activities that combine faith, curiosity, and exploration. We help the children learn to ask questions, make connections, and reflect on their experiences in light of Catholic values.

1. Faith-Based Story Discussions

After reading Bible stories or saint stories, we ask open-ended questions like:

• “Why do you think Jesus helped that person?”

• “What would you have done if you were there?”
  This helps children think beyond the story and apply moral reasoning.

2. Problem-Solving Through Play

• Use Legos, Lincoln Logs, puzzles, and group games that require teamwork and decision-making. 

• Encourage children to explain their choices and reflect on what worked or didn’t.

3. Reflection Time
Gathering at the end of the day to talk about what they learned, what made them happy, what was hard, and what was their favorite part of the day, connecting their reflections to virtues like kindness, responsibility, patience, and gratitude.

4. Nature and Creation Exploration
Build observation skills and appreciation by taking walks and asking questions like:

• “What do you notice about how plants grow?”

• “Why do you think God made so many different animals?”

5. Art and Expression
Encouraging reasoning and communication by having children draw pictures of a Gospel story or a value (like love or forgiveness) and asking them to explain their artwork to the class.

6. Role-Playing and Scenarios
We use simple moral dilemmas (e.g., sharing toys, helping a friend) and let the children act out different responses and discuss which choices show God’s love and fairness.

We try to help the children begin to think critically while grounding their learning in the Catholic faith and values.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Each fall, Kindergarten students will visit Carpinito Bros. farm during Pumpkin Time! They get to enjoy visiting the baby animals, taking a hay ride around the farm, playing games, and having a picnic lunch. 

• Enrichment Programs: Lego Club, Extended Care.

• Field Trips/Outdoor Learning: Children’s Art Museum, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Fire Station

FORMATIVE AND SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS AND ACADEMIC MILESTONES

• Observation, hands-on activities, and informal assessments are used to track progress. Emphasis is placed on curiosity, persistence, and joy in learning.

• Regular DIBELS assessments focus on progress in phonics, comprehension, and communication.

• MAP testing in the fall, winter, and spring measures academic growth in math and reading, providing personalized data to help children receive instruction where needed most.

• Encouragement of individual growth rather than competition.

EVENTS

Annual Events: Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly

Parent-Teacher Meetings: Throughout the year opportunities are provided for parents to meet with the teacher. These opportunities include: supply drop off, back-to-school night, parent-teacher conferences, after school meetings.

SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

Below are some supports and resources to complement your child’s learning:

1. Faith Formation Resources

• Catholic Icing (catholicicing.com): Offers crafts, printables, and lesson ideas for teaching Catholic faith concepts to young children.

• Sadlier Religion (sadlier.com/religion): Provides our religion program—We Believe—which includes family resources.

2. Online Learning and Interactive Tools

• Formed (formed.org): A digital platform with Catholic children’s videos, storybooks, and faith-based shows.

• Holy Heroes (holyheroes.com): Offers free online “Adventures” that teach about saints, Bible stories, and prayers through videos and activities.

• EWTN Kids (ewtn.com/kids): Interactive games, videos, and stories that teach Catholic values and traditions.

• Starfall (www.starfall.com/h): Interactive reading and math games designed for early learners.

• PBS Kids (pbskids.org): Educational games and videos featuring familiar characters.

• Khan Academy Kids (www.khanacademy.org/kids): Free app offering lessons in literacy, math, and social-emotional learning.

3. Skill Development Focus Areas

• Literacy: Letter recognition, phonics, and sight words.

• Math: Counting, shapes, and simple addition/subtraction.

• Fine Motor Skills: Tracing, cutting, and coloring activities.

• Social-Emotional Learning: Sharing, empathy, and self-regulation exercises.

These resources can help nurture a faith-filled home for kindergarteners while supporting both spiritual and academic development.

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

Technology in kindergarten is used to enhance creativity, collaboration, and foundational skills. Our goal is not to replace hands-on learning but to complement it through interactive, age-appropriate tools. We use technology to encourage group participation and visual learning.

• Morning Work: A projector allows children to take turns correcting their work on the board.

• Music: Music is played in the classroom to enhance learning.

• Science Exploration: Simple videos introduce basic concepts like weather, plants, and animals.

KINDERGARTEN GOAL
By the end of kindergarten, students should be able to demonstrate foundational literacy and math skills and an appreciation for reading and writing and mathematical concepts as gifts from God. They will be prepared for continued learning in both faith and academics.